National No Smoking Day: British Lung Foundation

NATIONAL NO SMOKING DAY: BRITISH LUNG FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES A NEW WAY TO FIGHT LUNG DISEASE The British Lung Foundation (BLF) has redefined the way lung disease - now one of the UK's biggest killers - is tackled. Yvette Cooper MP, Minister for Public Health, is to attend a reception hosted for the BLF by Glenda Jackson MP at the House of Commons on Wednesday 13th March (National No Smoking Day) at 4pm. Yvette Cooper said: "This project is an excellent example of how the voluntary sector, industry and government can work together. The Fighting For Breath video will help people with lung disease access the British Lung Foundation's support groups and promote the work these groups are doing with local communities. At the reception the BLF will be launching a video, 'Fighting for Breath,' which underlines its new approach. 'Fighting for Breath' is intended to provide information to people with lung disease about the support provided by the BLF through it's nationwide network of local support groups, called the Breathe Easy Club, and to encourage others in industry and in the medical profession to work with them. BLF Chief Executive Dame Helena Shovelton said: "The BLF fights for people who are fighting for breath everyday of their lives - but we can't defeat lung disease on our own. Lung disease places such a huge burden on the NHS and on employers that it makes sense for us to work together." The leading medical experts featured on the video point out some notable successes for BLF-funded research in recent years but all agree that more needs to be done. For example, £400,000 raised by the BLF has gone to help fight tuberculosis (TB). This has resulted in the diagnosis time being cut from six weeks to just four days. With around 50 new cases of TB in London each week, the BLF's funding has made a huge difference. The BLF has raised more than £1 million towards research into lung disease in premature babies and children. An example of the benefits is the provision of new ventilators that reduce damage to lungs of premature babies. The BLF has also funded research into many childhood lung diseases from cystic fibrosis (the most common hereditary disease) to asthma. Journalists wishing to attend the reception should contact Michelle Di Leo, Tel: 020 7692 5982, Fax: 020 7831 5832 pager: 07625 569053 E-mail: michelle.dileo@britishlungfoundation.com - ends - Notes to Editors 1. Fighting for Breath has been co-funded by the British Lung Foundation, the Department of Health, Allen and Hanbury's and Abbott Laboratories. 2. 2002 is the British Lung Foundation's 02 Challenge Year. Our balloon logo is devised from 02, the chemical symbol for oxygen - essential for life. Throughout the year the charity will be promoting good lung health. 3. More information about the British Lung Foundation can be obtained from Michelle Di Leo on Tel: 020 7831 5831, Fax: 020 7831 5832 E-mail: michelle.dileo@britishlungfoundation.com Or contact Amy McLaughlin at Grayling, Tel: 020 7255 1100, Fax: 020 7631 0602 ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/03/12/20020312BIT01340/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/03/12/20020312BIT01340/wkr0002.pdf